Thoughts on Isaiah 53, 1-3

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account.

We see here that in spite of these and other prophecies few recognized the Messiah when he appeared. This announcement was literally fulfilled with first coming by Jesus Christ. This also explains John in his gospel in verse 12, 38 we read: This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

In the book "Isaiah - consolation for God's People" Betanien comment (http://www.betanien.de) I found the following quote: "John also said, Lord, who?; - whereby clearly is, that all messengers from God ask that question, also today's evangelists. But it is also the issue of the faithful remnant, the future Jewish missionaries before the dawn of the millennium, which bring the world the gospel once again and then confess themselves that they have at that time their Messiah ignored. Evangelists advised in the absence of success sometimes in doubt whether they are on the right path, and are then available in danger resort to human aids, to assist the gospel. However, this verse encouraged, to faithful proclamation! It is quite normal when natural people do not respond to the preaching of the Gospel. How can them, since they are dead in sin and cannot hear or understand spiritual words! A miracle of God's grace is necessary, and for anyone, who believes; God is to praise for this miracle." End quote!

The apostle Paul quotes Isaiah in this context in Romans 10, 16: "But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Paul teaches in this verse also, that to believe also means to obey!

Therefore I cannot understand why time and again verses of Paul, by opponents of obedience are used, to prove why Christians no longer must keep the commandments (especially Sabbath) and the Torah. Paul teaches in many of his writings, that true followers of Jesus Christ are the entire word of God obedient. He explained it very well that the will to obedience must not come from ourselves, because otherwise we are under the law; and that Jesus Christ was written to the true believers of this obedience into the heart, so that this not of their own will (by themselves provide for the redemption), but rather from the heart, fulfil through the help of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to quote because of obedience from the book "Isaiah - consolation for God's People"  (http://www.betanien.de): "He (Paul) puts even >believe< with >obey< same, and thus it is clear that this miracle of grace does not happen when someone says he believe, and only its formal consent to historical facts means. Personal obedience in faith is necessary: Subjection to the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord. To those is clearly >the arm of the Lord<, "that means that in their lives is the transformed, sanctifying power of God, as they had a personal encounter with God; they recognized him in the Lord Jesus and this knowledge them eternal, complete powerful, godly life has implanted!" end quote!

To my last post about Isaiah in German, I received the following comment: "love your neighbor as yourself", and your soul shall find intake in God! I do not need Isaiah, to obey this!

First I was surprised and then shocked, to be like someone, who claims to be Christian; can leave such a comment! First, for his teaching Jesus Christ also used quotes from Isaiah; and secondly, the question arises, how a Christian can be of the opinion, that it would be enough only love his neighbor. He who loves his neighbor, will no more pass by beggars, without giving them alms. He does not think and tell, that those anyway will only buy alcohol for this alms. He who loves his neighbor, will supported financially, each of his brothers and sisters who are in need. He who loves his neighbor, take the first look at the welfare of his fellow human beings and not to his bank account. Such a human does not ask whether it is possible that new car or finance the next trip when he helps his neighbor. Someone who practices this, will be obedient the entire word of God.

These were just some examples of what it means to love one's neighbor!

I think we all need not only Isaiah, but the whole Bible and this every day, to draw strength from it, to learn and to be close to our God and Lord.

O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah!  You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the shades rise up to praise you?  Selah!  Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me? Wretched and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am desperate. Your wrath has swept over me; your dread assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; from all sides they close in on me. You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me; my companions are in darkness. Amen (Psalm 88, 1-18)

Thoughts on Isaiah 56, 1-8 (Salvation for the Nations through Sabbath observance)

This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let not any eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”

Even more clearly than Isaiah wrote down in these verses, God can not disclose, that even the strangers that diligently seek him, must keep his covenant, and have his Sabbaths to hallow. In these verses God clearly says, that he will save all; who the Sabbath hallow and holds his covenant.

Since we all know, that the Bible does not refute itself, we would have to actually know, that we should hallow the Sabbath of the Lord. Not, to thereby obtain our salvation; but because we have received salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ. Everyone, who was actually accepted by Jesus, has the new covenant. The new covenant means, that we have been written in the heart, the commandments and ordinances of God. But anybody, who has the new covenant in his heart is led by the Holy Spirit and can hence fulfil the will of God, because his heart would like obeying.

I cannot understand, why still so many Christians despite knowledge of the Bible, hold on the humanly invented days. These days are invented 360 years after Christ by the Roman Established Church, due power politics considerations. But I can also not understand, then why the Protestant reformers have chosen the days of the Roman heretics and not the God-ordained Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord.

When I read in the Bible and think about it, I cannot even comprehend how people have so many interpretations; which twisting the word of God. The Bible but explains itself for itself. The Word of God is perfect and free of contradictions from the first to the last page. Everything you don’t know, explained you of God, if you serious ask him in prayer about getting. I was able on myself to experience this, on numerous occasions. Thereby I've found, that it usually are the words of Paul, which are not easily understood. To the present day, I was allowed to recognize again and again, that Paul exactly writes from that, which is to be read in the Torah and in the prophets. He explains it, just different.

The new Pharisees and scribes make it advantage of the fact that Paul's words are hard to understand and blinded the people, by their false teachings.

Personally, I have asked in prayer to God for forgiveness and apologized me, that I have let fooled me so long, from the new Pharisees and scribes.

It is God, who also warn the Gentiles through Isaiah, because he granting us a brief glimpse on the new earth. Thus we read in Isaiah 66, 22-24: “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

We see, then, that the new moon and Sabbath by God are valid for all eternity. How can people seriously claim that the Son of God, Jesus Christ has abolished this. Jesus himself told us that the son does not speak of Himself, but only what the Father gave him. Thus it is clear proof that nothing was overturned by the word of his Father through Jesus Christ. It would be completely absurd if God would contradict himself!

I am often asked whether I was actually aware of how complicated the Sabbath, the dietary laws, and the feasts of the Lord are to be observed. The people who make me this question look it as the Jews in Israel today to deal with these things. But They forget, that Jesus is not the Messiah for the Jews and therefore the Sabbath, the dietary laws, and the feasts of the Lord still celebrate with all of the requirements, which the Pharisees and scribes through misinterpretation of the Torah and the commandments have been added.

Jesus Christ has met and sanctified the Sabbath so as God has commanded. But he was sentenced by the Jews, because he had broken the Sabbath in their view. Thus, the dietary laws are simple and clear in the Torah by God declares and the Jews make a complicated process, because of they believe the interpretations of the Pharisees and scribes.

But Jesus said in Matthew 23, 13 - 15: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

Wherefore, holy the Sabbath, as it did Jesus Christ sanctified and keep the dietary laws as God has prescribed in the Torah. Celebrates the feasts of the Lord, and believe not unchecked the words of the new Pharisees and scribes. Even today, this look only to their power, their glory and their immense wealth. Is it not a contradiction if a church has untold wealth and in this world children still die of hunger? Should this church not rather stop to want alleviate the plight, until she stands themselves in poverty?

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations— a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat; who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps— both your sins and the sins of your fathers,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” This is what the Lord says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is yet some good in it, ‘so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.  I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live. Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me. “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. You will leave your name to my chosen ones as a curse; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name. Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. New Heavens and a New Earth “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy." Amen (Isaiah 65, 1 – 18)

Thoughts about: but because you are not of this world?

Jesus Christ said in John 15:18-19: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

These are clear words of our Lord. But what is the reality? How many who claim to be Christians are actually hated by the world? How many who claim to be Christians, still believe unbroken to the revealed word of God in the Bible? To find answers, we compare again, what the world teaches us and what God us teaches in His Word! Then we look at, which teaching will be do today believed!

The world teaches us that the earth and all life millions of years ago by a "Big Bang" have emerged. This doctrine is widely accepted and is taught in schools! A great many people who call themselves Christians, are agree with this theory.

God tells us, that He had created the earth and all life, in seven days with 24 hours. When you study in the Bible, then you can find out that this was done, around six thousand years ago. This doctrine will be rejected by many people, also of so-called Christians.

Both of these Event history cannot be proved, because no today alive human, has personally seen. Thus, there is no eyewitnesses in both cases; therefore is needs the faith!

The world teaches us, that the human is descended from apes, and has evolved over thousands of years, to what he is today. This doctrine is also widely accepted and is taught to our children. There are Christians that also believe in this theory.

God teaches us, that he had formed man out of clay, made ​​him godlike and breathed into him the breath of life. He also teaches, that he has done this in a day, so that, the human had to not needed to develop; because since his creation he was always what he is today. Even this doctrine today will be rejected by many people, even many Christians.

Here again we have the same dilemma. Of both teaching, there are no living witnesses, so here also faith is needed!

Because in these examples, the faith is always necessary, I want to you explain again, the importance of the concept of faith: "The English word Faith, is in the here discussed sense used as a translation of the Greek noun pistis with the basic meaning „loyalty, trust." The associated verb is pisteuein ("be faithful, trust"). The primary meaning was: "I put trust in ... I tie my existence at ... I'm true to ...". The word therefore aims confidence, obedience (compare: vow, betrothal), faithfulness. “  (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaube)

A prayer of Christians begins with the words: "I believe in God ..." Is this today really the case?

The Christian world has taught since the year 321 after Christ that Sunday is the Lord's Day and the day of rest is. This secular doctrine can be proved on the basis of history. The world and so-called Christians are agree with this theory, and on Sundays are not working.

God has been teaching since of creation; remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt on this day not working do, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and your cattle, nor your stranger within your gates. For in six days the LORD made ​​the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. This doctrine we do not find, in history books of the human; we find only in the Bible. The early Christians sanctified this until such time, as a church law that was decided at the Council of Laodicea (343-381 AD), it forbade them under threat of punishment. This in turn can be found in the history books. ("Christians should not be idly by kind of Jews on the Sabbath, but rather should work on that day. Christians have to give preference the Lord's Day (Sunday) and rest as Christians, if they must not work. But if they invented as Judaizing, they are of Christ excluded. ")

Source: http://urchristen.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/das-erste-sonntagsgesetz-oder-die-grose-sonntagsluge/

I believe in God? Is that with to them so, or they believe the world?

At the end of my today article, I would like due to some criticism I've gotten, to emphasize once again: I have never and will never claim that my posts is the only correct interpretation of God's Word. I do see my posts not as interpretation. I am aware that I am only a sinful man, and like everyone else, I need the mercy of God. My posts are thoughts and inspirations that I have during Bible study and prayer, and should serve as an inspiration for his own Bible study.

As so often, I want to emphasize again how important it today is to consider itself in the Bible, all what you heard and read. Every person takes the time for what he loves the most. Everyone which loves Christ, should take daily time, which he spends with Bible reading and prayer.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Ford all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. Amen (1. Peter 1, 13-25)

Thoughts about target groups church service

Of course, I know that this title sounds ridiculous and is certainly not biblical. But on 18.08.2013 I read a post on Facebook, which had been posted by Idea (http://www.idea.de). The article reported the fact that both the evangelical - as well as the Catholic Church actually spends its money for target group analysis and marketing strategies for specialized church services, approximately for youth, singles, families, bikers, soccer fans, art lovers and people with dementia to elaborate and apply.

I thought at first, that this article is a joke, a hoax. But in the article one could be read, that from radio Germany was dealt this question on 17 August in a broadcast. Next was to read, that two target group church services from Köln have been presented in the broadcast. A single-church service with 35 visitors by the Catholics and one evangelical church service for women by women with 20 visitors.

Up to this moment, I always thought, that target group analysis and marketing, are things of this world, for example to be able, to sell luxury items more effective.

But this post has taught me otherwise and shows me, how fraternizes with the world are the two great churches already. The people in the managerial level of these churches are no more called by God! These are humans, who do not know the Word of God. How else would it be possible, to such a sick idea to come, that we could bring the Word of God with advertising strategies, better to the man?

Jesus Christ Himself said in John 6, 44: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Even clearer he said in John 6, 65: "And he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."

I think the contribution from Idea-media shows us, that the two churches are no longer be interested in God and His Word. These churches want only visitors and humans who pay their church tax. If in the leadership levels of these churches still God-fearing people were working, then they would know, that it does not require any advertising strategies, in order to make people familiar with the Gospel. It is enough, preach to the truth of the Word of God, and for the rest let work the Holy Spirit.

From my own experience I know, that no promotion strategy, would bring me to the vicinity to God. It was the wonderful works, which God did to me as he pulled me to him, which convinced me, to follow Jesus Christ. It was also the Holy Spirit, of taught me to understand the words of Paul in 2.Timothy 4, 2-5: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Exact due these words I would realize, how many fables are taught by the churches in our day.

I pray to God, that people are finally beginning to read the Bible more closely and then compare what they have read, with that which is told in the churches.

The LORD reigned; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubim’s; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. The king’s strength also loved judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. He spoke unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. Amen (Psalm 99, 1-9)

Thoughts on Galatians 3, 1-14

As I read a few weeks ago what Paul in Galatians 3, 1 - 14 wrote, I got big problems; such these words could fit together with the words of Jesus Christ.

Here the words of Paul in Galatians 3, 1 - 14: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministered to you the Spirit, and worked miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continued not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hanged on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

But now the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14, 12) 

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."(John 14, 15)

 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14, 23)

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love." (John 15, 10)

For my understanding, of Paul's words were in contradiction, to what Jesus Christ taught. But I know that this is impossible, since the word of God does not contradict themselves in the Bible. I had the problem, such I can recognize now where I think wrong. Lasting for days I prayed to God on my knees, that he would give me understanding for my question, as I have to understand Paul's words.

One evening, my prayers were answered and I understood the words of Paul. To better understand my realization, I show them the meaning of the word faith: "The English word Faith, is in the here discussed sense used as a translation of the Greek noun pistis with the basic meaning „loyalty, trust." The associated verb is pisteuein ("be faithful, trust"). The primary meaning was: "I put trust in ... I tie my existence at ... I'm true to ...". The word therefore aims confidence, obedience (compare: vow, betrothal), faithfulness.“  (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaube)

Abraham was it reckoned as righteousness from God, that he trust on God's Word, that he tie ​​his existence on God's Word, he remained to the Word of God and that he was obedient to God.

Now, I am aware that Paul with these words taught the Galatians, exactly what Jesus Christ also taught the people.

The Israelites parted very soon the law from the legislature, and gave much to the law, that God has never said. Then they wanted to keep its own initiative, so that to obtain salvation from to their own merits. So that they destroyed the faith and confidence to the donor of the covenant. So they should fall, in a deadly self-confidence.

What Paul the Galatians asks is, whether they really want to make the same mistake, such as the Israelites did; or whether they prefer, to believe in Jesus, trust him, be him obedient, and wanted to be him faithful.

The words of Leviticus, 18, 5: "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them" are just only positive, if one like Abraham, trust on God's word, to tie the one existence on God's Word and is faithful and obedient to the God's Word. Only, that into God's faithfulness covenant pasted, comply with the law, will give eternal life; comply the law out of itself, leads to damnation.

Jesus Christ sanctified the Sabbath, and did that day however things; that been for the Israelites blasphemy. Why? Because the Israelites had separate the law from the legislator, and by human interpretation of the Torah; they added many regulations, which God has never commanded.

As I have already mentioned, I had many days great difficulty with the text of Paul. But I have purposely avoided, to read human interpretations of this passage of Scripture. I prayed prefer to God, in whom I believe, whom I trust, at whose word I tie my existence and I am faithful and obedient. He has answered my prayer.

Both God and also his son Jesus Christ, become be merciful only to those, who seek them from the heart; and will with faith in their words, the bids, Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord be obey. But not, just as the Israelites, separate from God; but by the will of God and how it Jesus had lived.

I pray, that all people may finally realize, how wrong all the mundane religions of today are.

Today, a psalm that reveals to us, that David has also trust, on the belief in God:

A Song of degrees

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waited for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Amen (Psalm 130, 1-8)

Thoughts on Galatians 5, 1-6

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5, 1-6: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availed anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worked by love."

Since these verses are often used, to prove, that by Jesus Christ, were removed Sabbath, the feasts of the Lord, the commandments and ordinances of God, I would myself more intensively deal with these verses.

What exactly does freedom mean? In Wikipedia I found a very good explanation: "Freedom (Latin libertas) is usually understood as the ability to choose without coercion between different options and decide. The term generally designates a state of autonomy of a subject. "

"The young Christianity has indeed taken the ideas of Judaism about freedom, but eschatologized, in a category of" made ​​world to come. "The concept of freedom (Eleutheria) describes mainly a religious quality in the New Testament. Faced with the imminent parousia (return) of their risen Lord Jesus Christ every political change in the world at first seemed pointless. Now it was more about being "inside" the stoic -Hellenistic sense to be free of the constraints of the perishing world. The Apostle Paul Picking up on the Stoic understanding of freedom taught and formulated Christian, the Christian is in the religious sense of free from the law, sin and death (Romans chapters 6-8). In this "inner" sense, is Paul's phrase from the Letter to the Galatians to understand; that all people in Christ are equal and therefore free (Gal 3, 26-28): "For freedom has Christ set us free, therefore ... let you not bring back under a yoke of bondage. "(Gal 5:1)" (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freiheit)

The Galatians was taught by Jewish false teachers, that they must be circumcised, in order to fulfil the whole law. Paul knew that circumcision has nothing to do with the commandments and ordinances of God, since it merely is used, as a sign of the covenant, which God made with Israel. But anyone who is in this covenant, must abide the law of the Lord. Such a person cannot be free, namely in the sense, that he could decide without coercion. So Paul explains in these lines, that just the one who has Jesus Christ, is free to choose for themselves without coercion his spiritual journey. That Paul speaks of spiritual freedom, we understand in reading the next few lines, where Paul writes in Galatians 5, 13-15: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

Paul knows full well, that no one who lives under the law, which means nothing else, than the laws and commandments of God need to comply, to be saved thereby, may do so, on its own initiative. But who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord, those will guide from the Holy Spirit, so that those comply sooner or later through the lived charity, the commandments and statutes of God. Therefore will truly save people, if they love God, keep His Sabbath and its feasts. Not because they are under the law, but because they love God. Everyone who loves his neighbor will not just steal, lie, covet, murder, cheat, etc., and thereby thus has fulfilled the law and the commandments. Paul knows, that spiritual life is absolutely necessary, to be able to do these, he writes in Galatians 5, 16-18: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusted against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."

Anyone, who has truly accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord, will be led by the Holy Spirit. Since we know, that the Holy Spirit will teach us the truth, we can understand now, what Jesus Christ has caused for us, by his sacrifice. He has fulfilled, what God through the prophets has told. Jesus Christ has written the commandments and ordinances of God in the hearts of true believers, and as a result they redeemed!

Paul, who has that also recognized, therefore writes in Galatians 5, 19-26: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envying’s, murders, drunkenness, revelling’s, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."

Thus, we see that these verses on closer studying are not suitable, to prove that Jesus Christ would have repealed the law and the commandments. On the contrary, these verses prove, the entire word of God has eternal validity; and that Jesus Christ has actually changed no letters of the alphabet or point of it. Therefore no one should be deceived, those who continue to live according to the preference of the world, will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ gave us the freedom to choose without coercion, whether we want to redeem ourselves, by keeping the law and but so thus be lost; or by his grace be able to comply the law, and to be saved by him.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Amen (Galatians 6, 7-10)

Thoughts about Colossians 2, 16-19

Paul writes in Colossians 2: 16-19: "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.  Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow."

Since these verses are very often are used, to explain, that we are no longer have to hold the dietary laws, Sabbath and the feasts of God. Let us take a closer look on these verses.

What is a shadow? In the dictionary from Duden I found the following statement: "A shadow is - (more or less sharply delimited) in the shade of a body lying cut out an otherwise of direct light sunlit surface, depicts out dark  out of the lighter surrounding.

Range that is not directly reached by the light of the sun or other light source, and in which therefore just muted brightness, semi-darkness [and cool at the same time], is available.

Body, shape, or the like, which (in that they are out of a lighter background stand out) just in outline, only schematically recognizable as a silhouette.

Dark point, dark spot that appears on something.

(Pictorially) as a shadow watched body of a deceased, Isolated (in the realm of the dead the antiquity)

Middle High German schate (we), Old High German scato, related to Greek Skotos = dark " (http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Schatten)

The Greek word that was translated as shadow is σκιά; and the translation ways are shadows, silhouette.

If you look at the first verse, you can recognize, that the body, which casts the shadow, is Jesus Christ. The shadow or Silhouette, that is generated through Jesus Christ, are the commandments and ordinances of God, which all was been lived by Jesus. The early Christians held the dietary laws, Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord. Because of these way of life they were sued by the Gentiles; and have been made ​​a bad conscience to them, because they living just different. They also should because of their lifestyle been attacked from a grouping, which angels worshiped. Therefore Paul encouraged them in verses 16-19 continue to hold out, in what Jesus Christ has shown us through his life, and themselves do not let make a bad conscience because they follow the dietary laws, Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord.

If Paul with these verses have to them declared, that the dietary laws, Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord are no longer valid, then the verses would be 20 - 23 give no sense.

In Colossians 2: 20-23 we read: "Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."

The dietary laws, the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord, are clearly given by God and thus certainly not the commandments and doctrines out of human. Commandments and doctrines of human are for example stricter dietary laws given from the scribes and Pharisees, Sabbath provisions, and fictitious rituals for the feasts of the Lord, as well as festivals and holidays that were yet done by the religious leaders. Exactly because of these things Jesus Christ has already attacked the scribes and Pharisees.

Paul told the Colossians, that they should not make yourself a bad conscience, because of these commandments and teachings made from human, because through Christ they're already died to the influences of the world.

Today we see, how justified are the worries of Paul. Many who claim to be Christians, have rejected God's commandments and his statutes and follow the commandments and doctrines of human, which have an appearance of wisdom, but in fact they are not worth anything.

For centuries, the word of God will be twisted and raped, just to get reasons why the commandments and doctrines of men (Sunday, Christmas, Easter, ...) are kept; and God's commandments and his statutes (dietary laws, Sabbath, feasts of the Lord), no have more validity.

Paul exhorts the Colossians in Colossians 3, 1 - 4 with the words: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Above, where Christ is, there is also the Torah of God.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Amen (Psalm 1, 1-6)

Thinking about justifications against the feasts of the Lord

Since the time, where I think about the feasts and the Sabbath of the Lord, and my findings publicly reports, try very many Christians myself with Bible passages, in which supposedly explains that the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord today are no longer valid, convince you that I'm wrong.

I find this kind of search for explanations very captious, because it in the core actually concerns the question, why the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord from the people have been abolished, in favour of the Sunday and the pagan festivals. For this reason, would have these people actually me Bible passages show, where it is written, that Sunday and the once pagan festivals, now are valid instead of the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord. But since this is impossible, because there are no matching Bible passages; they are going the detour over arguments, why they do not have to comply, the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord.

Sunday uniquely is the day, where in ancient cultures the sun god was worshiped. Thus we read in Wikipedia: “Sunday (Old High German OHG sunnun day or Fron (o) day, Lord's Day ', this Latin solis "day of the sun" and this dominica, Greek Κυριακή.”  (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonntag)

But there have been also the current church festivals, such as Christmas and Easter which were invented by people and used for worship and adoration of God.

These are all holidays and festivals that have neither God nor His Son Jesus Christ ever commanded. But in order these human inventions and doctrines continue practicing to be able to without a guilty conscience, will be not wanted explanations why this practices should be lawful in the eyes of God; but rather explanations why the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord are no longer important.

The whole thing is what we call probably human logic or wisdom. When will people realize, that it in this discussion is only important, that the feasts and the Sunday, which is celebrated today by people in the name of God, in God's eyes are just abominable idolatry.

Jesus Christ says in Matthew 15: 7-9: "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by human."

The prophet Isaiah, quoted by our Lord, wrote in Isaiah 29, 13-16: "The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by human. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?"

How excellent Isaiah predict this. Because it will be now actually everything vice versa. Rather than, for the in Christian circles valid today Sunday and Celebrations to justify biblically, will be trying God's Sabbath and its festivals, to deny biblically.

Dear Human, tell me, why do you commit idolatry without even thinking about, and why do you refuse the feasts of the Lord and the Sabbath to sanctify? God anyway gave you the free will, so you'll never be forced from him to keep His Sabbath and its feasts. Just please be careful to assert, your Sunday and your Celebrations are biblically and serve the worship for the God of the Bible. Too fast, it could happen that Jesus Christ will also speaking to you: "hypocrite ..."

The God of the Bible has given its order of worship Moses. From this then Jesus Christ with his perfect sacrifice did away the need for animal sacrifices. But everything else is still valid and is the kind to worship, which the God of the Bible wants.

Another clarification on something which will be reproached me: I also want anybody force the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord to sanctify. I only write about my thoughts on the Word of God in the Bible; to excite people, for thought and to read up in the Bible.

In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulphur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face. Amen (Psalm 11, 1-7)

Thoughts to the Sabbath

One of the ten commandments of God is: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Exodus 20, 8 - 11)

This shows us, God is it exceedingly important, that everyone who belongs to his people, the Sabbath sanctify!

What can we find out about the Sabbath, via the Internet? In Wikipedia I found some interesting points: "the Sabbath, even Shabbat (Hebrew: שבת ʃabat, plural Sabbaths; Ashkenazi pronunciation: ʃabos, Yiddish: Shabbos, German: rest day ',' rest ') is in Judaism the seventh day, a day of rest, on which no work is to be done. It begins like every day in the Jewish calendar according to Genesis 1.5 in the evening and lasts from sunset on Friday until nightfall on the following Saturday. He already carries in the Tanach its own name, while the rest of the week are named in Hebrew to this day with their ordinal numbers.

The Old Church named the days of the week unchanged as the Jews and celebrated the Sabbath at least until the year 130 AD.

Constantine the Great made the Sunday 321 AD for legal public holiday and rest day, to privilege Christian religious services. Thus replacing the Sunday in Christianity the Sabbath as a weekly holiday.

In the Anti-Judaism of the Middle Ages Christians take part in the medieval tradition to taunt the Sabbath. For example, with satirical cartoons. The Spanish Inquisition persecuted Marranos, by searching for typical Sabbath features. Glowing candles, extinguished furnaces, clean shirts, crisp tablecloths on the Sabbath in their homes were indicia, to arrest converted Jews; to torture after arrest and in the end most were burned." (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbat)

On another website I found an interesting old newspaper article: "Sunday is a Catholic institution ... From beginning to end of Scripture there is not a single section, which justifies, the transfer of the weekly day of rest, from last to the first day of the week.“ (The Catholic Press, Sydney, Australia, July 1900)

Out of such records it is clear, that it is only by laws, persecution, torture and murder was possible to dissuade early Christians from the observance of the Sabbath commandment. The bad thing is, that the main reason for this misdeed against God's will, was the anti-Judaism.

Until the present day, all Christian churches try to give a human explanation of; why Sunday is too hallow; although in the Word of God he is not mentioned a single time. Many people believe more this incorrect explanations of humans than the Word of God. That is what makes myself very sad.

God spoke very often about his Sabbath. In the Exodus 35, 1-2 it is written: "Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death."

In Isaiah 56, 2, we read: "Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."

That Sabbath is to be sanctified; from all those seek God, we read in Isaiah 56, 4-8: "For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."

It is also Isaiah, who describes us, what God has promised, for those, who gain eternal life. Thus we read in Isaiah 66, 22-24: "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind."

I pray, that people will finally begin to give more credence to the Bible the word of God, than by human’s fictitious rumours and bogus explanations.

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. Selah To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more, and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.’ ” No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up. Amen (Psalm 75)

Thoughts about obedient life

The ninth and final proof of my series about real and true faith is obedient life.

God wants from His true believers absolute obedience. So everyone who was accepted by God, will result an obedient life. Not in order to meet the law, but out of gratitude and yes, because the Holy Spirit is in every true believer, these cannot be disobedient.

What is an obedient life? In Wikipedia we find the following definition of obedience: "Obedience is principally, to obey the commandments or prohibitions of by appropriate actions or omissions. The word is derived (similar as obedience) from heard, listening, hearken, and can range, from a purely external act, to an inner attitude.

Obedience means subordination to the will of an authority, obeying a command, the fulfilment of a claim, or abstention doing something forbidden. This authority is usually a person or a community, but can also be a compelling idea, a God or their own conscience. One can distinguish between voluntary and forced obedience." (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehorsam)

This definition shows us, that there are also absolutely, a voluntary obedience. What in this statement is referred as their own conscience, is in a true believer the Holy Spirit, which was sent to him by Jesus Christ. Because the Holy Spirit does nothing from themselves, but through Jesus Christ, a true believer will not be disobedient.

Jesus Christ himself has told us in Matthew 7, 21: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

These words tell us clearly that it is not enough to confess Jesus Christ, but then continue the old, familiar life in sin and disobedience to live. Our Lord commanded, that everyone who follows him, obeys the will of God. What the eternal and immutable will of God is, we find in the Torah (Old Testament).

The Torah is it that Jesus was teaching all, and referred as his gospel. Jesus Christ has not changed the Torah, he had removed only, what the Pharisees and scribes (humans) have added to the Torah.

Clearly and unequivocally declares Jesus Christ in John 15, 14: "You are my friends if you do what I command."

However due to the knowledge of these words of our Lord, I am very surprised, that so many people today prefer obedience to churches and false prophets, than to the Word of God!

I personally think that why so many people go the broad way of the crowd, because they know the will of God too little. It is more convenient believing the words of new Pharisees and scribes, instead of themselves of intensive research in the Bible to dedicate. Then there is this thinking that there always have been the Sunday, Christmas, Easter, etc., was, what were adhered by the Christians.

But that this is not true. The first Christians in reality kept the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord, what you can read in the Bible. Which in turn leads me to the question: "How read people today in the Word of God?"

The Apostle Paul writes in his letter, Romans 16, 26: "but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him"

Yet today exactly these writings and the words of Jesus Christ, from very many people will be ignored. Most modern people already into security, when they visit a church on Sundays, and at times to donate something. But this is a false security, just as the Bible teaches us and Jesus Christ.

The Apostle John is often referred to than the disciple whom Jesus loved. It is this John who writes very clearly in the 1.John 2:3-5: "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:"

More clearly you simply cannot be warned! So now I pray that as many people finally wake up and realize the true will of God and His Son Jesus Christ, and be saved!

No church, no pope, and yes no human can save us! It is solely the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that can save us!

Close your eyes and walk in the Spirit to Calvary. Look at the cross of Jesus! Look at you this bruised, bleeding body and look into this tormented face. Then remember, that Jesus Christ took these torments for us people voluntarily and then ask yourself, why you're not volunteered to be him obedient, the Lord, which hallowed the Sabbath and lived the Torah.

Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed. Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right. The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live. Amen  (Psalm 119,129-144)